There are successive messages being sent, in recent hours to Turkey which has engaged in a policy of escalating tension. Following the Commission's message calling on Turkey to respect the integrity of EU member states, the State Department focused on the issue of compliance with international law, while stressing the importance of de-escalating provocative actions.
The United States is urging its allies to refrain from using rhetoric that could further inflame tensions in the region, the State Department noted regarding the recent escalation of Turkish rhetoric against Greece. Responding to a question from Greek correspondents in Washington, a US department spokesman said "we urge our Allies to avoid rhetoric that could further increase tensions."
In response, the State Department spokesman noted that "the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected and protected. We continue to encourage our NATO Allies, Greece and Turkey to work together to maintain peace and security in the region and to resolve disputes through diplomacy. We urge our Allies to avoid rhetoric that could further increase tensions. Greece and Turkey are both strong partners and key NATO allies of the United States."
Finally, it is recalled that the State Department has shown quick reflexes on the issue of disputing the sovereignty of the Greek islands, as every time the Turkish Foreign Minister has tried to raise such an issue in his statements, the U.S. Department has responded immediately.
In fact, a State Department spokesman had made it clear in statements made both on February 11 and June 2 that Greece's sovereignty over these islands is not in question.
As he had noted, "the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected and protected. Greece's sovereignty over these islands is not disputed."
Commission on Turkey: respect the integrity of EU member states
A strong message to Ankara was sent by Commission spokesman Peter Stano. Answering questions from reporters, the EU official criticized Turkey for its aggressive behavior towards Greece.
Turkey[/B] must respect the integrity on the territory, seas and airspace of every other country and resolve any disputes in a peaceful manner, Commission spokesman Peter Stano said.
In response to a question on the recent threats and inflammatory statements by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan against Greece, Commission spokesman Peter Stano said:
"In terms of relations between the EU and EU member states and Turkey, the EU has been and is clear that we expect Turkey to behave in a constructive manner, to refrain from escalatory steps, rhetoric or actions and to commit to building good neighbourly relations, not the other way around."
Stano also underlined that "Turkey should also respect the sovereignty of all EU member states in their territorial waters and airspace. We have repeatedly stated that any open issue should be addressed in a peaceful manner, through dialogue, good faith, full respect for international law and in accordance with the principle of good neighbourly relations."
Akar 'strikes again' with inflammatory rhetoric
The crescendo of provocative statements from Ankara continues, with officials of Tayyip Erdogan's government refusing to drop the inflammatory rhetoric despite Western messages for the neighbour's compliance with the rules of international law. Shortly after the Turkish president provocatively called on Greece to "wise up" with a message written in Greek, Defense Minister Houloussi Akar struck again, speaking, according to Turkish media, about illegal Greek actions and arming the islands in violation of agreements.
The Turkish Defence Minister, raising the tone, claimed in particular that Greece had armed some islands in violation of the agreements. "We have responded to each of Greece's unjust and illegal aggressive actions and we will continue to do so. We will continue to respond to Greece's unjust and illegal aggressive actions. We will not allow any fait accompli."
He further claimed: "Some politicians in neighboring Greece insist on waking up in the morning and saying 'Turkey' and going to bed at night saying 'Turkey'."
Akar also claimed that these Greek politicians are the ones who adopt provocative rhetoric, even "admonishing" them: "We want them to know that they are causing great harm to the Greek people."
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